We're joining the Friday Introductions bandwagon, and taking time each week to introduce you to some of our amazing volunteer staff! Because our wonderful staff has grown so much, (amazing, truly.) we are doubling (or tripling, in this case!) up each week on the introductions. First, we introduce you to Edi, our Social Media Director. She is energetic, enthusiastic about her work, and adds a good amount of spice to our leadership meetings, which we love her for!
1) Introduce yourself!
I am Ediane Remark (I’ll spare you my full legal name), but most people call me Edi, pronounced like the ice cream. Holy cow, I am 36! ;) I have two girls, Miss E who turned 4 in January and Little A who will be 2 in March. I have been a SAHM (Stay At Home Mom) for almost 5 years! It’s a “job title” I never expected to hold. I also run a small Etsy shop and volunteer as the Social Media Director of The Motherhood Collective.
2) How did you come to work with TMC?
I started attending TMC when I was pregnant with Miss E in 2011. I had moved to VA the end of 2009 but had not really made many connections, as I feel the job I had didn’t promote friendship, not to mention I quit my job just before finding out we were pregnant. Anyway, my MIL saw a write up in her church bulletin and told me about TMC. Everyone was so kind the first time I went I was instantly hooked and didn’t feel so alone. I felt so much love and support during those early uncertain days as a new mama, I just wanted to help give that to someone else as well. So I guess you can say I just hung around, helping with setup and breakdown, then as unofficial staff helping with playgroup. In 2012, when a beloved member moved back home, I was asked if I was interested in Social Media and I’ve been “officially” here ever since. :)
3) How do you take your coffee?
A la latte, warm milk and a sweetener. And in the afternoon usually with cashewmilk over ice.
4) If you could pick any vacation in the world, what would it be and why?
I’m not a big traveler, too many delayed/cancelled flights and lost luggage, so I don’t always have a good answer for this. But after I thought about it I realized I have been looking forward to something for the past 5 years. Since high school I had said I wanted to get married in Las Vegas, just me and my husband, I wearing a red dress and “Elvis” running the ceremony. I had told Jeff (my husband) when we were discussing wedding plans and he thought I was joking. When he realized I was serious (after our traditional wedding), he said we could do our ten year vow renewal out there, however I wanted. So...4.5 years and counting. ;) Drive-thru chapel here we come!
5) What has been the hardest part about your motherhood journey?
The lack of sleep! Seriously, it’s no joke. But also I think looking at yourself. You’re raising these little people and you see as the words are coming out of their mouths that maybe, just maybe there are some adjustments and growth you’d benefit from.
6) What has been the best part?
I guess the best part is seeing those smiling faces and knowing they love you unconditionally. Seriously, they give some good bear hugs that can lift anyone’s spirits. ;)
7) Leggings as pants: yay or nay?
For me, definitely not! I can never get the right coverage but some people pull them off beautifully.
8) Favorite TV show?
I read this and I think all-time favorite, so that would have to be I Love Lucy. It, along with others like, Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie (seriously, look at my husband. I married Darren. LOL), remind me of my Abuela Helen, so I watch them whenever they are on tv. :)
9) Favorite junk food?
Hands down a bowl of VANILLA, has to be vanilla, ice cream with crumbled Oreos and chocolate syrup. Yep, that’s why I gained 60+ lbs with Miss E LOL!
10) Best advice you’ve ever been given?
There has been so much but I think it all boils down to, “love your children, everything else should fall into place.” (I feel like I need to clarify, you know it’s making choices out of love for your children, i.e., getting support for PMADs, getting time for yourself, realizing your child does need those ear tubes, changing a parenting style because it is just not working, etc.)
Next up, we have our blog editor, Alisha! (aka, me) Since I'm the one typing this, I'm going to say wonderfully amazing things...or maybe I'll just not and answer the questions below.
1) Introduce yourself!
Alisha Meador, almost 31 (eek!), married to Jim for a decade this year in August. We have 2 wonderful, exhausting, rough-and-tumble boys...Graham is 4, and Jude is 14 months.
2) How did you come to work with TMC?
I'd attended cafe's off and on through knowing Lauren and her family, but got to know her a lot better via Jude's birth experience a little over a year ago. I had been wanting to pursue more in the world of writing, and in talking with TMC about this, the opportunity opened up to come on board and help!
3) How do you take your coffee?
Strong and black!!...and often.
4) If you could pick any vacation in the world, what would it be and why?
Oh goodness...I want to go all the places. Right now, it's the English countryside...and if all goes to plan, we're going there for our anniversary later this year! If I wear long flowy dresses and talk like I'm in a Jane Austen novel, do not be shocked.
5) What has been the hardest part about your motherhood journey?
Hmm...postpartum depression with my first and premenstrual dysphoric disorder with my second. Those both really, really suck, and I am so thankful for TMC and other support systems to help mamas navigate those rough waters. Also, navigating some serious health issues with my boys and learning to love everyday life, like laundry, because it never goes away.
6) What has been the best part?
Gosh...their giggles, watching them grow and learn and seeing their individual personalities develop and blossom! Also, the growth I've experienced personally through them...I have been changed for the better through motherhood!
7) Leggings as pants: yay or nay?
Depends on the leggings, depends on the situation...but yes.
8) Favorite TV show?
Currently, Gilmore Girls. I also love Bones, and American Idol...and almost anything British. We named our chickens after Downton Abbey characters, and I love Foyle's War, Endeavor, Sherlock (one of the best shows ever made!)...the list goes on.
9) Favorite junk food?
Trickling Springs Indonesian Vanilla Bean ice cream with organic chocolate syrup. Is that specific enough? ;)
10) Best advice you’ve ever been given?
So much...hmm...probably that I best take care of others when I'm taking good care of myself. We can't give what we don't have.
Finally, we have Heather, our blog assistant (yay!) and one of our very recent additions to the team! (so recent, in fact, that she doesn't have her official picture yet) She is super sweet, committed to helping other new mamas, and incredibly welcoming to everyone!
1) Introduce yourself!
Hello! I’m Heather! I’m 26 and married to my sort-of high school sweetheart, Thomas. We have two sweet babes, Charlotte and William (and no, we didn’t name them after the Royals on purpose). I’m currently a stay-at-home mom, but also work part time, (nights and weekends from home) doing social media.
2) How did you come to work with TMC?
I found out about TMC right after my first baby was born (January 2014), probably through Centra. I came to my first café’ when my little girl was just 2 ½ weeks old, and I am so glad I did! I have attended most of the café’s since then and love the education and encouragement that I’ve experienced.
One of my resolutions for 2016 was to volunteer in some aspect, and TMC was such an obvious place for me to plug in and serve!
3) How do you take your coffee?
I love an iced caramel macchiato (skim milk, please) from Starbucks!
For a regular cup of hot coffee, I take it with honey and almond milk.
4) If you could pick any vacation in the world, what would it be and why?
Hawaii! I was a Navy kid, so when I was in elementary school I actually lived there. Tough life… I know. I know. But I would love to go back as an adult and really experience it again and share a piece of my childhood with my husband.
5) What has been the hardest part about your motherhood journey?
Let me preface by saying, I AM SO GRATEFUL to stay at home with my kiddos! But, the flip side of that is that I definitely miss having a reason to get dressed up and go somewhere and see people everyday. Not having adult interaction on days that we don’t get out of the house is hard for me. The loneliness of being surrounded by small children all day is real, guys.
6) What has been the best part?
I think watching my babies grow and learn is just amazing. And nothing compares to those sweet snuggles at the end of a long day.
7) Leggings as pants: yay or nay?
Umm… Yay, dare I say it?! Haha.
But when wore modestly, of course.
8) Favorite TV show?
Anything that I can binge watch on Hulu or Netflix. I might have watched “Fuller House” in its entirety the day it came out.
9) Favorite junk food?
French fries (ALL THE FRIES, Like the LARGEST size they have and then some more…) & a chocolate milkshake
10) Best advice you’ve ever been given?
I don’t recall where I heard/read this, but I think it is so important. Understanding that in a social media saturated world, we only see what people want us to see. That leaves us with the tendency to compare our worst to everyone else’s best. We don’t see the struggles others are going through and they don’t see ours. We have to give ourselves and others more grace, and stop living in a world of comparison.